Hereford legend

Sir - The memorial stone at the Special Air Service base in Hereford carries the first of these two verses written by Flecker, spoken at the Gate of the Moon, Baghdad:

"We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall goAlways a little further: it may beBeyond that last blue mountain barred with SnowAcross that angry or that glimmering sea,White on a throne or guarded in a caveThere lives a prophet who can understandWhy men were born: but surely we are braveWho take the Golden Road to Samarkand."As the caravan leaves a watchman remarks"It was ever thus,Men are unwise and curiously planned."